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Review

1997
Mercury
Tracer Review

Performance and comfort at a rock bottom price.

Reviewed by Automotive on
9/11/1997

Overview

The 1997 Mercury Tracer aims to keep as low of a price as possible, while still offering moderate performance and comfort. While buyers can find much better vehicles on the market, those vehicles also cost thousands of dollars more than the Tracer in most cases. The Tracer provides a good option for drivers on a strict budget.

The Mercury Tracer might not look particularly flashy or have anything bold or innovative about it, but it gets the job done. In its price range, it remains one of the best options available. Drivers who can spend more might want to consider the Mercury Sable, which, in many respects, essentially marks an upgraded version of the Mercury Tracer. On the other hand, drivers looking at the Mercury Sable, but uncomfortable by the price might be well served to consider getting the Mercury Tracer instead.

The Range

What's New

The 1997 Mercury Tracer shows off a complete redesign. The Mercury Tracer LTS also leaves the lineup.

Exterior

The Mercury Tracer sells as a four-door sedan or a four-door wagon. The styling looks curved and fairly attractive, but the front end has an oddly angled, very flat quality to it that might not appeal to some drivers.

Interior

The 1997 Mercury Tracer has a decent size interior, but typical for a vehicle in this price range, features remain fairly minimal. An AM/FM radio provides the only major standard feature. Air-conditioning, rear window defroster, and a cassette player comprise the list of optional features.

Performance & Handling

The Mercury Tracer offers solid performance and acceleration. Drivers who get the four-wheel anti-lock brakes option find it provides excellent stopping power, but the standard power brakes seem fairly mediocre. Overall, drivers find nothing particularly good or bad about the Tracer’s performance beyond slightly higher than average engine noise. Given the low cost of the 1997 Mercury Tracer, it handles better than most drivers expect.